Kane is a two-time NHL All-Star winger and had experience at center before coming to the Blackhawks.

"He's played center most of his life," Quenneville told the Tribune." Defensively, he's gotten better as he's grown ... down low on the walls. It's something we're going to at least take a look at."

Kane was tried as a center during the 2008 preseason -- an experiment that lasted one period. For now, questions center on whether he can fit defensively, win faceoffs and not lose his edge while playing in the middle.

Kane had offseason wrist surgery and last week mentioned being hesitant at times with concern about re-injuring the joint.

Quenneville's roster shows a shortage at center, with Jonathan Toews the best available. The team also hopes rookie Marcus Kruger steps into the void but is unproven and, according to the Chicago Sun-Times, is making slow progress.

"Letting him see a full training camp (and) getting used to the players, the coaches can see what he can do when he’s had time a whole training camp," general manager Stan Bowman told the Sun-Times. "We’ll see how it goes. I don’t look at it as, ‘Can he do this one specific skill?’ As a centerman, Marcus is going to have to be reliable at both ends of the rink."

Kruger appeared in seven regular-season games and the playoffs last spring.

Toews is entrenched as the No. 1 center, and Patrick Sharp has played in the middle. Dave Bolland anchors the third line and veteran Jamal Mayers, a winger by trade, is seeing time as the fourth-line center.

Michael Frolik has played center, but Quenneville prefers to keep him on a wing with Bolland's line.

Also on the radar: Brandon Pirri, who had two goals in Sunday's 4-3 exhibition loss to the Detroit Red Wings. Pirri also scored in the shootout. However, the Chicago Daily Herald says Pirri likely is headed to AHL Rockford for additional seasoning. He also needs to get stronger to withstand the pounding he will get in the NHL.